Fair Housing

ALEXANDRIA CITY
Legal Services of Northern Virginia assists with landlord tenant eviction cases; utility cut-off and constructive eviction cases; cases involving illegal lock outs; tenant assertion cases for tenants seeking to improve living conditions and require landlord compliance with local housing codes; Fair Housing Act cases; subsidized public housing and Section 8 cases; and administrative hearings before local departments of housing. Eligibility is based on income, assets, household size, and no conflict of interest. Apply on-line, by phone or in person.
121 N. Washington St., Suite 300A, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 778-6800
www.lsnv.org

ARLINGTON COUNTY

Arlington’s Office of Human Rights handles complaints of discrimination in the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation if you live, work, or do business in Arlington.

2100 Clarendon Boulevard Suite 318, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 228-3929
http://topics.arlingtonva.us/human-rights/

Legal Services of Northern Virginia assists with landlord tenant eviction cases; utility cut-off and constructive eviction cases; cases involving illegal lock outs; tenant assertion cases for tenants seeking to improve living conditions and require landlord compliance with local housing codes; Fair Housing Act cases; subsidized public housing and Section 8 cases; and administrative hearings before local departments of housing. Eligibility is based on income, assets, household size, and no conflict of interest. Apply on-line, by phone or in person.
3401 Columbia Pike, Suite 301, Arlington, VA 22204
(703) 778-6800
www.lsnv.org

FAIRFAX COUNTY
The Fairfax County Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs handles complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, private education and credit. Human Rights Specialists will discuss your concerns with you and, if appropriate, assist you in formulating a complaint to sign. The respondent is then notified of the charge and an investigation is conducted. Upon completion, the OHREP Executive Director will assess the evidence. If the evidence supports a housing claim, the complainant may receive rental of an apartment. If there is insufficient evidence, the case will be dismissed. If the complainant desires, he/she may begin a formal appeals process.

(703) 324-2953
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ohrep/hrd/complaints1.htm
Legal Services of Northern Virginia assists with landlord tenant eviction cases; utility cut-off and constructive eviction cases; cases involving illegal lock outs; tenant assertion cases for tenants seeking to improve living conditions and require landlord compliance with local housing codes; Fair Housing Act cases; subsidized public housing and Section 8 cases; and administrative hearings before local departments of housing. Eligibility is based on income, assets, household size, and no conflict of interest. Apply on-line, by phone or in person.
4080 Chain Bridge Road, Second Floor, Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 778-6800
www.lsnv.org

LOUDOUN COUNTY
Legal Services of Northern Virginia assists with landlord tenant eviction cases; utility cut-off and constructive eviction cases; cases involving illegal lock outs; tenant assertion cases for tenants seeking to improve living conditions and require landlord compliance with local housing codes; Fair Housing Act cases; subsidized public housing and Section 8 cases; and administrative hearings before local departments of housing. Eligibility is based on income, assets, household size, and no conflict of interest. Apply on-line, by phone or in person.
8A South Street, SW, Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 778-6800
www.lsnv.org

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
Legal Services of Northern Virginia assists with landlord tenant eviction cases; utility cut-off and constructive eviction cases; cases involving illegal lock outs; tenant assertion cases for tenants seeking to improve living conditions and require landlord compliance with local housing codes; Fair Housing Act cases; subsidized public housing and Section 8 cases; and administrative hearings before local departments of housing. Eligibility is based on income, assets, household size, and no conflict of interest. Apply on-line, by phone or in person.
9240 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 778-6800
www.lsnv.org

REGIONAL
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s Fair Housing Office is responsible for investigating housing discrimination complaints. Complaints must be filed in writing within one year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred or terminated. Complaints accepted for investigation are investigated and the parties have an opportunity to participate in conciliation, a voluntary process in which the parties attempt to resolve the complaint by agreeing to mutually acceptable terms. If conciliation is successful, the investigation will be suspended. If conciliation is unsuccessful, or if one of the parties does not want to attempt conciliation, the investigation continues until it is complete. The investigator then writes a final investigative report (FIR) which is presented to the Fair Housing Board (or the Real Estate Board for complaints involving real estate licensees or their employees). If conciliation is successful and both parties reach an agreement, the Board may vote to accept the conciliation agreement. If conciliation is unsuccessful in resolving the complaint, or if the Board fails to accept an agreement, the Board will either dismiss the complaint or determine if reasonable cause exists to support a charge of discrimination. In cases where the Board determines reasonable cause and issues a charge of discrimination, the Attorney General's Office brings civil suit in circuit court seeking relief for the complainant.
If you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, you may file a complaint by downloading the Housing Discrimination Complaint Form at: http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/uploadedFiles/MainSite/Content/FairHousing/VFHO_COMPLAINT_FRM.pdf
Please complete the form with as much detail as possible, then send it to:
Virginia Fair Housing Office
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 367-8530 or toll-free (888) 551-3247
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Equal Rights Center has a Fair Housing Program that conducts education and outreach, individual and systemic investigations, and advocates on behalf of its members and others who have experienced housing discrimination. The current intake process is limited to housing discrimination in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia. Other complaints will be provided with a referral. All complaints are logged and considered for systemic investigations.

11 Dupont Circle N.W., Suite 450
Washington, DC 20036
( 866) 719-4372
( 202) 234-3062
http://www.equalrightscenter.org/site/Survey?SURVEY_ID=1361&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia has fair housing specialists that counsel both home seekers and housing providers on their rights and responsibilities under federal and state fair housing/civil rights laws. Individuals pursuing their rights are provided assistance when appropriate. HOME also investigates allegations of housing discrimination. When you contact HOME with a complaint (allegation) of discrimination, we will interview you to gather the necessary information for our investigation. HOME will assist you in determining the best course of action, however HOME does not have attorneys on staff. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.
626 E. Broad St., Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 354-0641
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Fair Housing Enforcement Office has an on-line system that enables individuals to file housing discrimination complaints based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Complaints will be reviewed by a fair housing specialist to determine if it alleges acts that might violate the Fair Housing Act. The specialist will contact you for any additional information needed to complete this review. If your complaint involves a possible violation of the Fair Housing Act, the specialist will assist you in filing an official housing discrimination complaint.

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint

Virginia Lawyer Referral Service has referral specialists who provide the name and telephone number of a lawyer near you who has indicated a particular interest in handling your type of problem. The lawyer will be licensed and a member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar. It will then be your responsibility to call the lawyer to schedule an appointment. If it appears that you do not need a lawyer, you will be directed to an agency that may be able to help. Any information that you provide will be strictly confidential. If you are referred to a lawyer, you will be entitled to consult with him or her for up to one-half hour for a fee of $35. The initial consultation may answer your questions and enable you to solve your problem. If your problem requires additional time and work, you will be responsible for any additional legal fees. The lawyer you consult will be glad to discuss his or her fees and the cost of services beyond the initial consultation. However, there is no obligation for either you or the lawyer to go beyond the first consultation.

1111 East Main Street, Suite 700, Richmond, Virginia 23219-0026
Statewide and Nationwide Toll-Free Number: (800) 552-7977
http://www.vsb.org/vlrs/

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Legal Assistance

Individuals with disabilities sometimes encounter unfair or discriminatory treatment in the process of obtaining rental assistance, searching for or applying for rental housing, or while being a tenant, and need assistance to assert their rights to fair housing. Likewise, individuals may experience situations where they need guidance or advocacy regarding tenant-landlord issues. The organizations listed below can offer information and guidance, address complaints, and in some cases, provide legal representation on these types of issues.

On this website, we have two categories of legal assistance:

• Fair Housing
• Landlord-Tenant

See the Find Resources/Programs Search Form to search by jurisdiction selecting Legal Assistance in the pull-down for Type of Assistance. A new search box will appear directly below it, allowing you to choose Fair Housing or Landlord-Tenant specialties.  (If you don't select one, both types of assistance will be included in the search results).

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